Lagos walking tour & city guide

The islands and the mainland

Most visitors stay on the islands. Lagos Island has the Tinubu Square, the Cathedral Church of Christ and the vast textile and fashion stalls of Balogun Market. Across the creek, Ikoyi is green and residential, and Victoria Island is the business district, with the Eko Atlantic project rising on land reclaimed from the ocean.

Further east, the Lekki Peninsula runs along the coast with new estates, malls and beaches. The mainland, connected by the Third Mainland Bridge, one of the longest in Africa, is where most Lagosians live and work.

A classic day out

Begin in the morning at the Lekki Conservation Centre, where a long canopy walkway crosses the treetops of a protected wetland. Then head to the Nike Art Gallery, a four-storey house filled with Nigerian art and textiles, and spend the late afternoon at the Lekki Arts and Crafts Market for carvings, beads and fabrics.

In the evening, Victoria Island's restaurant and live music scene shows why Lagos is called the entertainment capital of West Africa.

Good to know

Traffic, known locally as 'go-slow', can be extreme, so plan journeys outside rush hours and use ride-hailing apps rather than hailing cars on the street. The dry season from November to March is the most comfortable time to visit. Check current travel advice before planning a trip.